writing

"Of this voyage, I observe," says the Admiral, "that it has miraculously been shown, as may be understood by this writing, by the many signal miracles that He has shown on the voyage, and for me, who for so great a time was in the court of Your Highnesses with the opposition and against the opinion of so many high personages of your household, who were all against me, alleging this undertaking to be folly, which I hope in Our Lord will be to the greater glory of Christianity, which to some slight extent already has happened."

KEYS OF UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE: (Detail) 1. Read the Bible - over and over - again and again. By repetition you will gain familiarity with the stories, with the characters, with the authors, with the teachings and doctrines and, most importantly, with our Lord and Master. "If we are to know God, we must read His words, for therein He stands revealed to the honest in heart." Bishop J. Richard Clarke, General Conference, Oct.'82. 2. Ponder, Pray and Seek the Spirit. Most important above all others! Seek always to have the Spirit with you. ". . . the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11. Listen to that "still, small voice." 3. Use the New LDS Edition of the King James Version..."The most significant event in Bible publication in over a hundred years," Daniel H. Ludlow. Forget other translations. 4. Use & rely on the JST, for clarification. Especially as foot-noted in the New LDS Edition of the King James Version. Mark the JST footnotes throughout your Bible. 5. Don't get "hung up" on individual words. Don't be distracted by archaic spellings and usages or "little words" that might not be correct. Read for the Meaning and for the Story while relying on the Spirit. 6. Use commentaries & dictionaries for background . . . history, local customs & traditions; (Use the Bible Dictionary & Maps in the LDS Edition). For doctrinal interpretations, use the scriptures themselves and prayer along with the writings of inspired scholars. "Don't drink from the stream below the horses." 7. Study individual scripture passages in context with all others which are pertinent as to time and doctrine. 8. "Rightly divide" between literal and figurative. Study inspired writings of latter-day apostles and prophets. 9. Modern scripture sheds true light on the ancient. Footnotes and Topical Guide will help. 10. Become familiar with ancient biblical literary styles. Learn some of the basic elements of Israelite writing such as: parallelism, chiasmus, figurative imagery, and dualism. 11. Learn Hebrew and Greek. [For the very ambitious.]